Colombian president orders immigration raids, vows deportations of migrants without legal status
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has promised to deport thousands of migrants who are in the country without residence permits, mainly Venezuelans, as he attempts to make significant changes to the nation’s immigration policies that he says will reduce crime. De la Espriella, who was sworn into office three weeks ago, said that he would order the country’s nati
Source: Associated Press · August 26, 2026 at 2:30 AM · AI-assisted report
Single-sourceCOLOMBIA, BOGOTA, 26 AUGUST 2026 —
COLOMBIA TIGHTENS IMMIGRATION POLICY WITH DEPORTATION DRIVE TARGETING UNREGISTERED VENEZUELANS
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BOGOTA, Aug 26 (Reuters) — Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has ordered immigration raids and vowed to deport thousands of migrants without legal status, primarily Venezuelans, as part of a sweeping crackdown aimed at reducing crime and tightening border controls. The announcement, made just three weeks into his administration, signals a sharp policy reversal from Colombia’s long-standing approach of welcoming and integrating Venezuelan refugees.
De la Espriella, a conservative leader aligned with U.S. President Donald Trump, said in a video posted on his X account on Sunday that raids would begin this week in coordination with police and the national immigration service. He framed the measures as a response to rising crime, stating that enforcement would first target migrants accused of criminal activity before expanding to those without valid residency permits.
“I will not accept any illegal immigrants, wherever they come from,” he declared. “They will have to leave and be deported. It is a political decision I am taking responsibility for.”
The shift comes as Colombia hosts the largest Venezuelan diaspora in the world, with 2.8 million Venezuelans residing in the country as of August, according to the United Nations. This figure represents nearly a fifth of Venezuela’s population, which has fled economic collapse, political repression, and a 75% contraction in GDP over the past decade.
Colombia had previously taken steps to regularize the status of Venezuelan migrants. In July, the national immigration service reported that 2.3 million Venezuelans had been granted temporary residence permits under a program launched in 2021 by former President Ivan Duque during the height of Venezuela’s exodus. However, the government stopped issuing new permits three years ago, leaving many migrants in legal limbo.
Ana Karina García, director of Juntos Se Puede, a Bogota-based migrant support group, criticized the new policy, arguing that it punishes vulnerable populations rather than addressing systemic issues. “We understand that the president wants to protect Colombians,” she said. “But there is no need to protect them from migrants. It has been proven that foreigners do not commit crimes at greater rates than the local population.”
Arles Pereda, president of a Venezuelan migrants’ association in Bogota, expressed concern that the policy would close doors just as new waves of displaced Venezuelans arrive. “The doors seem to be closing,” he said, noting that neighboring countries like Chile, Peru, and Ecuador have also tightened residency rules under conservative leadership.
Colombia’s immigration agency, Migracion Colombia, confirmed in a text message that it currently lacks a director and will only implement the new policies once a successor is appointed. The agency did not provide a timeline for the raids or deportations.
The policy shift reflects broader regional trends, as conservative governments across Latin America adopt stricter immigration controls. Analysts suggest that while the move may resonate with voters concerned about crime and economic strain, it risks destabilizing communities that rely on migrant labor and remittances.
For now, the fate of thousands of Venezuelans in Colombia remains uncertain, caught between policy changes and the enduring humanitarian crisis next door.
— With reporting by Reuters staff in Bogota and additional context from regional migration data.
Related: Migracion Colombia · Abelardo de la Espriella